Supporters of the MDC in the Gokwe South constituency say they are still hiding in the bush, unable to venture into the open in case they are set upon by Zanu (PF) youths and war veterans.

Elvis Chifanzwa, 28, of Manoti in Gokwe, said Zanu (PF) youths have threatened to kill him if he ventures out of his sanctuary in the Mandisarara forest. "I now stay in the bush and my wife brings me food there," he said. "I only go home in the evenings to bathe, change clothes and eat."

Charles Shava Manyangodo, 30, said he had been holed up along Rutope River since May and has not been to his home as Zanu (PF) youths have threatened to kill him. "I thought with the end of the elections the harassment would end but it has not. The threats have instead intensified," said Manyangodo. He said his wife, father and young brothers have been threatened by youths as well.

Richard Dziwande from Nyaje area said while the beatings have stopped the harassment and intimidation continue. Village heads continue to threaten people who attend MDC meetings with eviction from their areas, says the MDC candidate for Gokwe in the last election, Lameck Muyambi. He said Piwai Gava, Jericho Gwatiringa, Godfrey Muyambi and Peter Manzini, all MDC supporters had fled the area last week because of constant threats.